Ascension is Free Foundation
Ascension is Free Foundation is a private foundation, based in Wilmington, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $125K. Net investment income was $300K.
Ascension is Free Foundation at a glance
In short: Ascension is Free Foundation gave $125K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $31K), mostly in Louisiana. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $125,000
- +13.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $31,250
- +13.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $2,727,303
- -2.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Ascension is Free Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Capital Area Family Violence Battered Womens Pro ($45K). Together the top 4 received $125K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 12 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Ascension is Free Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out 84% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $82K (2023) to $125K (2025). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $125K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Area Family Violence Battered Womens Pro Baton Rouge, LA | IRIS Domestic Violence Center for The Children's Program | $45,000 |
| Alzheimers Services of the Capital Area Baton Rouge, LA | for Charlie's Place in Ascension Parish for Scholarship Fund, overhead expenses, and furniture/supplies | $30,000 |
| Emerge Center Inc Baton Rouge, LA | Bloom Program - Ascension Parish residents first | $30,000 |
| Ascension Community Theater Inc Gonzales, LA | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,727,303 | $85,602 | $168,254 | $125,000 | 4 | $142,955 | $299,907 | $169,997 |
| 2024 | $2,809,955 | $455,726 | $152,557 | $110,000 | 4 | $126,727 | $588,638 | $152,483 |
| 2023 | $2,506,786 | $123,626 | $106,024 | $82,000 | 4 | $96,282 | $425,978 | $110,058 |
| 2021 | $2,502,536 | $2,509,653 | $7,117 | — | — | $5,765 | $318,863 | $13,243 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ascension is Free Foundation reported a distributable amount of $170K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Ascension is Free Foundation is led by Beryl S Smith, Director, President, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2021 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Beryl S Smith
Director, President, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Ascension is Free Foundation
How much does Ascension is Free Foundation give each year?
Ascension is Free Foundation gave $125K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $110K across 4 grants.
What is Ascension is Free Foundation's typical grant size?
Ascension is Free Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $31,250, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Ascension is Free Foundation give grants?
Ascension is Free Foundation gives mostly in Louisiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Baton Rouge, LA (3 grants).
Does Ascension is Free Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 25% of Ascension is Free Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Ascension is Free Foundation?
Ascension is Free Foundation reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $143K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $170K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Ascension is Free Foundation's EIN?
Ascension is Free Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-2552955. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Ascension is Free Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Ascension is Free Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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